Forex Market Overview

Forex Market Overview 16 July 2008

Usd was range bound in Asian session as markets pause from dollar selling to evaluate current pricing. However we are anticipating another busy and volatile day. EurUsd bounced between the 1.5866 - 1.5932 while UsdJpy continued to slide from 105.12 to 104.27. With risk aversion reaching elevated levels, carry trades have suffered with EurJpy dropping to 165.80 and AudJpy falling to 101.77. With concerns over the credit market mounting, it is no surprise that VIX has climbed to 28.54 and fx implied vols are following. Currently, European equities are mixed but US index futures are pointing to the upside, due primarily to the sell off in crude, which is trading at wti 138.95bll.

The EurUsd reached an all time high yesterday, ahead of Bernanke's testimony, but was able to recover slightly as oil prices took a dive (on slowing global growth concerns). Interesting to note, Bernanke gave no indication that the Fed was going to follow the ECB and raise rates anytime soon. It seems after a brief period of stability the US might still slip into a recession in the second half of the year. With payrolls declining, housing prices tanking, equity markets falling, latest GSE crisis and energy prices elevated the down side risk to the US economy having become apparent once again. Given these risks should Trichet and the ECB come out with a more explicit hawkish comments on inflation we should see the EurUsd entrench itself above the 1.6000.

In Australia, Westpac leading index continued to drop, hitting 0.0% vs. the 0.4% prior reading. RBA Governor Stevens speech today was undecidedly dovish. Clarifying the fact that the RBA feels that the current interest rate level is sufficient to combat domestic inflation. Stating "It is understandable that pressure on underlying inflation, particularly from domestic sources, has also been somewhat greater. Monetary policy had to respond to that." The AudUsd fell to 0.9750 on the news but was able to rally back on Usd selling.

Given our statement above regarding Eurzone inflation, today's reading of second estimate of CPI inflation will be critical. We are expecting headline to rise to a new record high of 4.0% as rising energy price are having a clear effect on prices. Core should stay below the 2.0% price stability ceiling, however, should pressure on core increase we would expect the ECB to maintain their hawkish tone and fx market to push Eur higher.

US data will be covered in US report

14.00gmt - Fed Chairman Bernanke delivers semi-annual testimony on monetary policy and the economy before the House
18.00gmt - Fed's Hoenig speaks on "Monetary Policy and the Economic Outlook"

Daily Forex Pivot Points
AUDUSD
R 3: 0.9923
R 2: 0.9895
R 1: 0.9849
CURRENT: 0.9776
S 1: 0.9708
S 2: 0.9664
S 3: 0.9597

EURJPY
R 3: 169.67
R 2: 168.94
R 1: 166.86
CURRENT: 165.76
S 1: 165.70
S 2: 164.76
S 3: 163.60

USDSGD
R 3: 1.3717
R 2: 1.3661
R 1: 1.3565
CURRENT: 1.3465
S 1: 1.3452
S 2: 1.3399
S 3: 1.3300

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